Latest Ratings

In short: Well worth considering if you're looking for a PBIn full: Ran this great little event yesterday and managed a massive PB. I've only given it 80% in the PB potential ratings above as the weather could make a big difference to whether or not you PB on his course. It's an out and back along an old railway line and whilst it was mostly dry yesterday there were some wet sections. The surface was not the best either, quite uneven in sections which was ok on the way out but a bit tough on the legs on the return section.

The final two laps of the playing field was, em, interesting to say the least. with it being November and Scotland the playing field was sodden. The two laps resembled a cross country race!

All in all I really enjoyed this race and would definitely consider doing it again. Oh, one last thing though for any of the organisers that might be reading this. Try to find a different chip supplier for next year. I've got a really sore right ankle today from where the strap for the chip has rubbed the skin off!Date of review: November 8, 2010

In short: Described on the medal as 'The Perfect Race Distance' Difficult to disagreeIn full: I really enjoyed this race. It's described as flat but that's certainly not the case. There's a killer hill on the way out of South Queensferry and from then back to the finish it's undulating.

The organisation was spot on as far as I could see and I loved the fact that the Forth One DJ was calling people home as they finished. A great way to finish a great race!Date of review: October 5, 2010

In short: Should be re-named 'The East Lothian Marathon'In full: Edinburgh is trying to host a 'big city marathon' but it isn't quite there yet. The fact that all un-successful London entrants and all GNR finishers get guaranteed entry shows that they are trying to grow this event. And a Ballot? was anyone un-successful in the ballot? Just be honest and have a guaranteed entry until the numbers do exceed the numbers of places available.

I didn't go to the expo (neighbour picked up my number) and i'm pretty glad I didn't. This seems to be just a way to get people from down south to spend another night in an Edinburgh hotel. And to guarantee to the sponsors that 13,500 numbers will have to be collected giving a pretty decent footfall for the stalls. The GNR can manage to send out in excess of 35,000 numbers in the post so you should have managed to send out 13,500!

The start area was poorly managed. Their will always be queues for the toilets but don't put them on opposite sides of the street so that the two queues merge, leaving no room for others to get past. There should be either a water or lucozade station at the start area as well. I think that the start pens should be runners only. There were too many spectators in that area.

The course was ok but have more of it in Edinburgh to eliminate the loop at 16 miles and the gravel section at Gosford House. That might also make it feel more like an 'Edinburgh Marathon' The marshals were excellent always full of encouragement, especially in the second half. At about 22 mile's I think it was I did have to dodge a dog that was being allowed to wonder across the course! Better mile markers are needed. I never felt that I was desperately needing water so I think that the water/energy stations were just about right.

The finish was excellent, really good crowds and the announcer made a good job of getting everyone going. However, what would the grass on the racecourse and the matting been like in the rain? An excellent medal and plenty of water/lucozade at the finish. The finishers area after the photographs needs to be a bit bigger though. I did hear from a friend who finished in just under 6 hours that the photographers had packed up by then. If that is the case then it's scandalous.

Wednesday for the official results? Really poor and just another example of the race organisers pandering to the sponsors (results were available in the Edinburgh Evening News on the Tuesday!) rather than the runners.

I know this sounds pretty negative but I feel it's just a lot of small things that could easily be put right to turn this into a really good race.Date of review: May 28, 2008

In short: If I go down instead of up when I die, at least I know there's a good race there!!!In full: My 1st trail/adventure race but it won't be my last. I thouroughly enjoyed the race even though I am now hurting in places I didn't know I had!!Date of review: July 15, 2007